16 Feb. 2000

Joint statement on the occasion of the visit of the
Secretary General of NATO, Lord Robertson, in Moscow
on 16 February 2000

NATO Secretary General Lord George Robertson met with Russian Foreign
Minister Igor S. Ivanov and Defence Minister Igor D. Sergeyev. Lord George
Robertson was also received by Acting President Vladimir V. Putin. They
candidly discussed a wide range of topics and in particular NATO-Russia
relations.

NATO and Russia are fully determined to contribute to building a stable
and undivided Europe, whole and free, to the benefit of all its peoples.
In this context, they affirm that they will observe in good faith their
obligations under international law, including the UN Charter, provisions
and principles contained in the Helsinki Final Act and the OSCE Charter
for European Security. They will promote the strengthening of security
in the Euro-Atlantic area on the basis of the Founding Act and through
cooperation within the Permanent Joint Council.

NATO and Russia welcome the Agreement on the Adaptation of the CFE Treaty
that will, together with the commitments undertaken in the CFE Final Act,
ensure the continuing viability of the CFE Treaty.

While continuing their cooperation in the Stabilisation Force in Bosnia-Herzegovina
(SFOR), NATO and Russian forces in Kosovo are working together in KFOR
toward the full implementation of UNSCR 1244, to which both NATO and Russia
are committed.

NATO and Russia will work to intensify their dialogue in the Permanent
Joint Council. They agreed that Russia and NATO would pursue a vigorous
dialogue on a wide range of security issues that will enable NATO and
Russia to address the challenges that lie ahead and to make their mutual
cooperation a cornerstone of European security.